FMTB graduation

[Paul's dad]

My son is graduating from FMTB west in two weeks! Whoo Hoo! We couldn't be prouder! He is in the field this week and is really enjoying the experience! After grad he will be stationed in Oahu with the 3rd Marines.

My question's are...

1. What can we expect at the graduation ceremony? (I have seen a couple of video's on YouTube and it seems to be outside and not very long).

2.Will our son be able to help us get on base, get a pass for the vehicle the day before?

3. Is liberty Phase 4 after grad? His orders are to leave for Oahu on the 23rd of May. He grads on the 14th so we are hoping her will have the weekend to visit.

4. Anyone been to a grad ceremony @ Pendleton recently?

Thanks!

p.s. Really like the new look of the page!!!

[8404]

My son is graduating from FMTB west in two weeks! Whoo Hoo! We couldn't be prouder! He is in the field this week and is really enjoying the experience! After grad he will be stationed in Oahu with the 3rd Marines.

My question's are...

1. What can we expect at the graduation ceremony? (I have seen a couple of video's on YouTube and it seems to be outside and not very long).

2.Will our son be able to help us get on base, get a pass for the vehicle the day before?

3. Is liberty Phase 4 after grad? His orders are to leave for Oahu on the 23rd of May. He grads on the 14th so we are hoping her will have the weekend to visit.

4. Anyone been to a grad ceremony @ Pendleton recently?

Thanks!

p.s. Really like the new look of the page!!!

1. The graduation ceremony I attended at Camp Pendleton was outside and in front of the main building. The students wore their digital woodland camouflage uniforms replete with the coveted Corpsman collar device. They march in and stand in formation. There is a podium in front with Public Address speakers and they make speeches and award presentations. The awards are for stuff like, outstanding student etc.... It's a nice ceremony, but not as colorful as the Recruit Training Command, (boot camp) graduation.

2. All we did, was drive to the gate and tell the sentry on duty we were attending the FMTB graduation for our son. They gave us directions and they waved us through. There was no 'pass' required. At least they didn't ask for one. As a former Marine, that seemed odd to me, in light of base security.

3. After graduation at Camp Pendleton, to my knowledge, the students were released to their next duty station. I believe my son had 2 or 3 days before he had to report in to 29 Palms. We accompanied him there and once they reported in, obtained their housing, he was granted liberty again and we drove back to San Diego and spent a week with him there.

If you are driving to FMTB, take the Oceanside Harbor/Camp Pendleton exit from the I-5. It doesn't matter which direction you are coming from, the exit will lead you directly to the front gate. From the gate, take your first left over the bridge. Take your second left after the bridge and follow this road until you see a large flag pole. Immediately behind the flag pole is FMTB headquarters. The building number is 210730. It is next door to the 21 Area Branch Clinic.

Please call FMTB and verify this information to ensure there are no security changes, questions about graduation and it's associated building location.

You can call them at Phone: (760) 725-2559

FMTB Website: http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil/schools/fmtb/index.asp

I recommend attending your son's graduation from FMTB. It was great to see my son again, and was amazed at how much weight he had lost. Lean, Mean Healing Machine.....

[Paul's dad]

8404,

Thanks!

As usual, your information is just what I was looking for.

We have booked flights, car, & room for Paul's graduation week and are very excited! I haven't been to California since MS school in 78, wow, San Diego & Mission beach was the best!

I will call the number you gave me before we go to insure we are compliant with the base security, and the directions are VERY much appreciated.

Not sure if he is going to 29 Palms right after or what, his (current) orders have him leaving Pendleton the week after grad to Oahu, but he did mention that he will catch up with his unit in Iraq very soon after grad.
This is the last time we will see him before he deploys and it is sure to be an emotional scene as I am taking my wife, youngest daughter, and his girlfriend. OH BOY!! It's gonna be a lot of tears! I'm getting a little chocked up just thinkng about it.

To all the men and women who served or are serving...

THANK YOU!!!!

brad p

[8404]

Brad:

Make sure you bring a movie camera and regular digital camera for plenty of pictures and video's.

Do you know about Moto Mail? Let us know. If your son deploys with a Marine Unit, which he is, motomail is like an email which is downloaded in theater and delivered to your son within 24 hours of sending it. A lot quicker than regular snail mail.

Eat plenty of 'fish' tacos there at San Diego!

Does his orders say he has to go to 29 Palms? He may just have leave for a week and then fly from San Diego to Oahu. I only mentioned 29 Palms because that is where my son was stationed after FMTB.

[Paul's dad]

8404,

Oh yeah! I've got the cameras charged and ready! I can't wait to see him march in with his class!

Moto Mail? First i've heard of it? I guess i'd better get with the project and get up to speed on the communication front! I actually thought they had access to the regular internet in certain areas and were able to use their personal laptops, video cam's, etc...DUH!

His orders do not (at this time) say he is going to 29 Plams, he thought he may need to go there to get a little more weapons trn, before he deploys.

Yeah, I found a farmers market in Oceanside that is open on Thursdays and we have a condo at the California Beach Club with a kitchen so i'll be doing some "home cookin" on a night or two! But I do remember getting tacos at a Jack In The Box at Mission Beach, I think it was one of the 1st Jacks cause about all they had was tacos, but GOOOD!!

[8404]

Here is the link for MotoMail: https://www.motomail.us/login.cfm?CFID=4839035&CFTOKEN=38e97456f3904f88-A4619DAF-980D-F8F9-0A124926EEC0A252&jsessionid=b430e329aa9718162479

"Family and friends of deployed Marines in Iraq can NOW send a letter to be downloaded, printed, and ready for delivery, usually within 24 hours. THE SERVICE IS FREE, PRIVATE and SECURE." There is also a new "PhotoMail" option.

Once you receive your son's deployment address, you can register with motomail. You also need to forward your son's deployment address to Dee Dee so she can place him on the, "Adopt a Doc" program. This program has volunteers who send care packages to our deployed Docs.

In the sand box, there are internet connections at the base. Not everyplace has a connection and the long lines prevent folks steady access. Your son may be out in the field for 2 to 3 week intervals and some form of communication to your son is most valuable to the moral and motivation.

I wasn't talking about Jack in the Box tacos, there are hundreds of down home style Mexican Taco stands, where the taste is truly authentic. Unlike anything here in Texas.

True that: Marines who are on the West coast and are deploying, go to 29 Palms for specialized 'Viper' training. There is similar training for those on the East coast. It's the closest thing to real life in the sand box you can get without actually being there. It's fantastic training.

Condo on the beach, be on the lookout for Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. You're now considered the Big Kahuna!

Surfs Up!

[Paul's dad]

Thanks for the link! As soon as I get an address i'll be putting it to good use. Sounds like it's a lot more reliable than hoping he gets access on a base.


Man, I remember a Taco stand outside a little bar in Ensenada, MX...The food was the best!I am looking forward to authentic and not the "chain" version. Couple of XX sounds good too!

Paul come's in from his "field trip" today, hopfully he is goning to get a better idea of his order status soon. No matter, just watching him grad from FMTB is going to be GREAT! He is so stoked about going wiith the Marines! It's all he has wanted for some time now. He say's " Dad, it's not a job, it's a calling" which makes me so darn proud of him!

Yeah, Annette and Frankie! Those were the days good clean fun! I was hoping to try a little surfing but I might have to stick a little closer to shore because of the recent attack and the fact that at 51 i'm a little more easily injured than when I was 21. ha ha ha

[Da-Chief]

You guys are killing me. Annette and Frankie???

I just remember Annette in Mouse ears..

;-)

D/C

[DeeDee]

OMG - you guys are OLD

http://www.laffstock.com/images/beach%20blanket%20bingo.jpg

Just Kidding ;)

[Da-Chief]

Boy is this gettin off topic but...
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/71/039_63371~Annette-Funicello-Posters.jpg

[psencik1950]

So was is off target enough that us youngsters couldn't bring up the image.

[psencik1950]

So now it shows up. I missed the Mickey Mouse club because I grew up outside of Austin and LBJ owned the only TV station. When he became president they put in some new ones on UHF - you know 14-81. If you didn't buy an adapter you couldn't watch them. Yeah, no remote, b&w, funky test patterns.

Why I remember having to walk 3 miles in the snow to school and back. Oh, that wasn't me, it was the stories I had growing up. We did walk to school from the first grade on unless you lived in the country. Of course, you could get a full driver's license at 14 in TX back then.

Ben